Amy Bernard received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Point Loma Nazarene University and a Master’s Degree in Zoo and Aquarium Leadership focused on conservation education from George Mason University. She started her career as a marine mammal trainer and researcher working with a wide variety of species ranging from dolphins and beluga whales to California sea lions, harbor seals, a northern elephant seal, and a variety of otter species. After 14 years in that field, she made the switch to working with service dogs. She is certified as both a guide dog mobility instructor and a service dog instructor focused on training dogs for veterans with PTSD. Amy currently works at Southeastern Guide Dogs as the graduate instructor for all out-of-state graduates of the service dog program. When not traveling across the country working with graduates, she enjoys spending time with her family and her horses. She is an accomplished equestrian, and the focus of this hobby has turned to breeding and raising a small number of amateur-friendly and athletic hunters and jumpers.